In a significant victory for workers’ rights, Matern Law Group PC played a pivotal role in securing a $20.5 million settlement for hundreds of Save Mart Supermarkets employees. The California-based grocery chain had been accused of unlawfully revoking promised retiree health benefits, leading to substantial financial hardship for the affected retirees.
The lawsuit, originally filed in August 2022, centered around Save Mart’s decision to terminate monthly health reimbursement accounts promised to nonunion retirees and their spouses for life. Workers alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), pointing out that Save Mart initially amended the eligibility terms in 2016 and then fully eliminated the benefits in 2022 following the company’s acquisition by a private equity firm.
After three years of dedicated litigation, discovery, mediation, and extensive settlement negotiations, the proposed settlement represents a remarkable 46% recovery of the present value of the lost health benefits – a significant financial relief for the 666 retirees involved.
Matthew J. Matern, Mikael H. Stahle, and Erin R. Hutchins of Matern Law Group, PC partnered with Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP and Bolt Keenley Kim LLP to fight tirelessly for the rights of Save Mart retirees. Anne Shaver, a lead attorney for the class, emphasized the meaningful impact of this settlement: “The proposed settlement is an excellent outcome and will provide meaningful financial relief for affected retirees.”
This settlement underscores Matern Law Group’s ongoing commitment to justice and employee advocacy, ensuring corporations honor their promises and workers’ benefits remain protected.
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